Non-invasive intracranial pressure system

ABSTRACT

Non-invasive intracranial pressure detection and/or monitoring and use of data with respect thereto. Illustratively, with respect to a method, there can be a method to digitally produce and communicate intracranial pressure data from skull deformation electric signals, the method including: receiving, from at least one sensor, detected skull deformation electric signals at electrical equipment configured to transform and process the skull deformation signals that are received; transforming and processing, by the electrical equipment, the received skull deformation electric signals to produce digital intracranial pressure data; and outputting, by the electrical equipment, the digital intracranial pressure data via an output device operably associated with the electrical equipment to render the digital intracranial pressure data.

The present patent application claims benefit from and incorporates byreference U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/536,347, filed on Sep. 19,2011.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field includes machine, manufacture, article, process, andproduct produced thereby, as well as necessary intermediates, which insome cases, pertains to non-invasive intracranial pressure detectionand/or monitoring and use of data with respect thereto.

II. SUMMARY

Depending on the implementation, there is apparatus, a method for useand method for making, and corresponding products produced thereby, aswell as data structures, articles, computer-readable media tangiblyembodying program instructions, manufactures, and necessaryintermediates of the foregoing, each pertaining to non-invasivelydetecting and/or monitoring intracranial pressure, e.g., in animals,humans, which may be in ex-vivo and/or in-vivo conditions.

III. FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustrative architecture for embodiment with respect tointracranial pressure monitoring system.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative embodiment including a brain strap with acorresponding sensor housing, oriented to a human patient's head.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative embodiment of a strap with a sensor housingand an adjustment means.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative embodiment of the housing for the sensor.

FIG. 5 is another illustrative embodiment of a housing for a sensor.

FIG. 6 is another illustrative embodiment of components within thehousing.

FIG. 7 is another illustrative embodiment of the components within thehousing.

FIG. 8 is another illustrative embodiment of the components within thehousing.

FIG. 9 is another illustrative embodiment of the components within thehousing.

FIG. 10 is another illustrative embodiment of the components within thehousing.

FIG. 11 is an illustrative embodiment including a brain helmet with acorresponding sensor.

FIG. 12 is another illustrative embodiment of the brain helmet.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative embodiment of a spring configuration.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative of another embodiment of a springconfiguration.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative embodiment of a computer system.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative embodiment of logic flow.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative embodiment of an intracranial pressuresignal.

FIG. 18 is an illustrative embodiment of an intracranial pressuremonitor display.

FIG. 19 is an illustrative embodiment of an intracranial pressuremonitor signal display.

FIG. 20 is an illustrative embodiment of a display of intracranialpressure monitoring of a jugular maneuver.

FIG. 21 is an illustrative embodiment of a display of intracranialpressure monitoring of epileptic seizures.

FIG. 22 is an illustrative embodiment of a display of diagnostic ofhydrocephaly.

FIG. 23 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect to anintravenous use of Sodium Thiopental in pigs.

FIG. 24 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect to ratshaving received dipyrone.

FIG. 25 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect to aresponse to adrenaline.

FIG. 26 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect to anintracranial tumor.

FIG. 27 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect tohydrocephaly and evaluating the performance of shunts.

FIG. 28 is an illustrative ICP waveform monitored with the ICPNImonitor.

IV. MODES

Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is the relation between the volume of theintracranial space and its components: Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF),blood and brain parenchyma. ICP monitoring can be used in the diagnosisand prognostics of various disorders such as neurological disorders,e.g., stroke, hydrocephalus, tumors well as trauma. Rather than using aninvasive technique, i.e., requiring shaving, incision in the patient'shead, trepanation of the skull bone and sensor insertion in the braintissue, embodiments herein involve noninvasive embodiments, e.g., formonitoring this medical parameter, through the cranial bone.

Generally, there can be at least one sensor located to detectintracranial pressure noninvasively, in contrast to being directed to asensor located invasively, e.g., within a skull or under the skin orwhere the skin has been removed, e.g., by incision. (The followingdiscussion refers to “sensor” in the singular, with the understandingthat embodiments can be configured with one or more sensors.) The sensorcan be located with a strap, as an example of a non-invasive manner oflocating the sensor with respect to the subject's head. In someembodiments, the sensor can be detecting intracranial pressure by aspring located between the sensor and the patient's head. In any case,the sensor detects intracranial pressure with signals that can becommunicated to equipment. Equipment processes the received signals assignal data. That is, if the signals are analog signals, they areconverted to digital signal data. In any case, the signal data is savedto a memory configured to store the signal data. The signal data can beprocessed and also saved in memory configured to store the processedsignal data, and can be rendered at a display.

The embodiments can be such as to non-invasively detect and/or monitorwhat is happening directly inside the central nervous system, e.g., inthe patient's head, for such variables otherwise not known to beobservable without invasive methods. The central nervous systemobservations are unique because of the many physiological barriers suchas blood-brain-barriers of complex nature containing biochemical,electrophysiological and other components. Peripherical measurements ofthe arterial or venous pressure or haemodynamic variables normally usedin present medical procedures do not necessarily correspond to thecorresponding variables monitored by embodiments herein described.

The accompanying figures and discussion of embodiments are intended toillustrate and exemplify in a teaching manner, by way of the propheticteachings. With this in mind, turn to FIG. 1 and consider that equipment1 can include sensor device 2 can non-invasively located adjacent andproximate to the head of a subject, such as a human “patient”. Sensordevice 2, can be located, for example, so as to allow movement by thepatient, e.g., with a strap 3. In another embodiment, sensor device 2can be located, for example, so as to immobilize the patient or in ahelmet.

In some embodiments, the sensor device 2 can detect skull deformation bysuch as by an electric strain gage, an optical sensor, an optical fiber,a magnetic sensor, an interferometric sensor, or any other device whichdetects and/or monitors the skull deformation without trichotomy orsurgical incision. Sensor device 2 can, but need not, be configured tobe disposable or reusable after use by the patient in a detectingsession.

Generally, equipment 1 associates the skull deformation withintracranial pressure detection and changes. Equipment 1 can, but neednot, include a signal amplifier 4 to amplify signals received fromsensor device 2. Equipment 1 can, but need not, include an analog todigital converter 6. That is, if an analog implementation is carriedout, there can be a conversion of the analog signals into digitalsignals, e.g., signal data. Equipment 1 can be powered by regularutility electricity, e.g., an AC power source, or by battery power,e.g., to allow and/or protect monitoring during a power failure or tounder conditions where regular electrical utilities are unavailable,e.g., in an ambulance. The equipment 1 has a capability of receivingsignals from at least one, and in some embodiments, multiple sensors,and working with different acquisition frequencies.

Equipment 1 can include a processor 8, e.g., in a multiparametricmonitor, computer, etc, which processes the signal data to produceoutput data that is stored in memory operably associated with theprocessor 8, e.g., a digital memory 10. The digital memory (device) 10can have a database configured to store the signal data and/or theoutput data. The signal data and/or the output data can be rendered onan internal display 12 and/or on an external display 14.

The equipment 1 can be configured so that an intracranial pressureapparatus, whatever be the implementation desired, produces output whichcan include real-time curves of physiological parameters such asintracranial pressure, respiratory and cardiac cycles, and the like onan internal display 12 and/or an external display 14. The equipment 1can save the data the patient's time series, e.g., for subsequent reviewand/or processing, in memory 10.

Consider now the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein anon-invasive sensor device 2 for detecting or monitoring ICP includes asensor device 2, which is configured to provide protection and locationfor at least one ICP monitoring sensor (not shown in FIG. 2). The sensordevice 2 can be attached to the patient's head with a strap 3 which canbe produced, for example, from an elastic or rigid material andconfigured to provide dimensional adjustment to the patient's head.

The strap 3 can be coupled to the sensor device 2 through fittings orother means, e.g., at both ends, such as direct affixing in an upperportion of the sensor housing (FIG. 3). The strap 3 can locate one ormore of sensor device 2. The strap 3 can, but need not, include anadjustment system 5.

Helmets, hoods, or arcs may instead be used to affix a sensor device 2with respect to the patient's head, or other means can be used toprovide an equivalent function as the strap 3.

In the illustration of FIG. 4, there can be a sensor housing comprisinga lid 7 and a sensor box base 9. Attached to the base 9, there can be asupport 11 for a sensor bar 13, adapted for stabilizing and affixing thestrain sensor 15 with respect to the base 9.

At an end of sensing bar 13 (opposite the support 11) there can be a pin16 configured for contacting the patient's head. This pin 16 can befixed to bar 13 to communicate changes in skull volume to sensor 15.

Components such as 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16 can be produced out of metal,polymer, carbon, glass fibers, and any combination thereof.

Alterations in ICP cause changes in cranial volume, detected by pin 16.The pin 16 of the sensor 15 contacts the surface of the patient's head,to detect variations in the volume of the skull. Pin 16 causes adeformation in, or communicated by, bar 13, and the deformation iscaptured by the sensor 15 adjacent to an opposite end of the bar 13.Accordingly, the device 2, and methods of its use, can be used to detectand/or monitor ICP in humans or animals, even in diverse situations,such as trauma, hydrocephalus, intracranial tumors, stroke,pharmacological studies, etc.

So in the illustrated embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-12, there canbe one or more noninvasive sensor devices 2, a strap 3 or the like, andequipment 1, which can is communicatively arranged with the sensor 15,e.g., via wires, wireless communication technologies, etc. The equipment1 filters and amplifies signals from sensor 15, may in some embodimentsdigitalize the signal from the sensor 15, and can send the signal orother output to a printer, computer, tablet, mobile phone, medicalmonitor, its own display 12, etc. There can be a digital memory 10 inequipment 1, e.g., a memory card, to store the digital data, allowingfor later analysis.

The noninvasive monitor can facilitate adjusting equipment 1 forsensitivity to acquire the characteristic morphology of intracranialpressure waves, with their peaks P1, P2, and P3 (FIG. 28). The sensor 15used may, for example, be a full-bridge, a quarter-bridge, orhalf-bridge sensor, presenting values of electrical resistance in asystem detecting ICP.

FIG. 2 illustrates a brain strap embodiment in which the sensor device 2is non-invasively contacting a surface of a patient's head, proximate tothe skull bone, with a band 3. The strap and/or band can, but need not,be configured to be disposable than be reused after use by the patientin a detecting session. In such an embodiment, the band 3 can be of amaterial that is non-rigid, such as a polymer or metallic, for example,foil, strip, tape, or the like. Sensor device 2 can be attached to, orpositioned with respect to, the material and the patient's head so as toallow for detection of ICP.

In such embodiments, there can be a connector, such as a wire or othermeans (not shown in the Figures), communicating the signals from thesensor device to the equipment 1. (In other embodiments, the sensordevice(s) can be communicatively associated with the equipment 1 byBluetooth, ZigBee, or any other remote communication systems.)

Note that a configuration fixes the sensor 15 and sensor device 2 on thepatient's head, without trichotomy or surgical incision, allowing his orher (or its) movement during the intracranial pressure detecting andmonitoring.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate more of a helmet-type embodiment in whichthe sensor 15 is non-invasively contacting a surface of a patient'shead, proximate to the skull bone, with a helmet device 17. Device 17,e.g., with a stereotaxic apparatus, can be such as to immobilize thehead of the patient with respect to the sensor device 2 in a fixedposition contacting with the surface of the patient's head. One may, butneed not, use such a configuration where certain patient movement is notof particular interest, or for reproducibility of detecting and/ormonitoring a condition where position is held constant. In such anembodiment, there can also be a portion of a strap 3, with the sensordevice 2, that can, but need not, be configured to be disposable ratherthan be reused after use by the patient in a detecting session.

As illustrated more particularly in FIG. 12, device 17 can be astereotaxic apparatus to fix the patient's position geometrically in thesystem (17 a—support for temporal regions, 17 b—support for forehead,and 17 c—support for the chin). In some such embodiments, there can bequantitative numerical marks on the bars that regulate the supports (17a, 17 b, and 17 c) for reference. As illustrated by comparison of FIGS.11 and 12, the device 17 can comprise movable arms 18 that locate thepatient, or in another way of thinking the sensor 15, with respect toeach other.

The strap embodiments, or the more helmet-type embodiments, can use theflexible material approach discussed above, e.g., such as foil, with a(e.g., strain gage) sensor 15, e.g., configured in connection withdevice 17. Another approach is to use a sensor 15 with a spring (seeFIGS. 13 and 14), e.g., in a housing 20.

Turning to FIGS. 13 and 14, the noninvasive sensor can use one or moresprings 19 in detecting the intracranial pressure. One end of the spring19 can be adjacent to an upper end of housing 20. A pin 16 is urged bythe spring 19 into contact with the head of the patient. FIGS. 13 and 14show various configurations of the noninvasive sensor 15 incommunication via the spring 19 with a pin 16 locatable into contactwith the patient's head.

There can be various embodiments hereinafter. In one embodiment, theoutput or raw data can also be stored and rendered via polygraph system.

Illustratively, embodiments can be carried out by such as the following.

In one embodiment, the equipment 1 can be used, for example, with thebrain strap sensor approach, by:

1—Placing the sensor 15 tip 16 over the adequate region of the skullbone, for instance the parietal bone region;

2—Using an elastic strap 3 to fix the sensor device 2 on the head of thepatient, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2;

3—Connecting the sensor device 2 to the equipment 1 using wires (orconnecting by wireless protocols);

4—Commencing detection and/or monitoring procedure to obtainintracranial pressure signals;

5—Processing, including by a processor 8, the intracranial pressuresignals to produce intracranial pressure data;

6—Storing the intracranial pressure data in a database configured tostore the intracranial pressure data, the database in a memory 10operably associated with the processor 8; and

7—Displaying 12/14 the intracranial pressure data.

In some embodiments, there can be such as:

1—Communicating signals from the sensor 15, i.e., a full detectedsignal, to the equipment 1, the full signal can be a sum of cardiologic,respiratory, ICP signals—and others, if so desired;

2—Receiving, the full signal (e.g., in microvolts) at an amplifier 4 andamplifying the microvolts to volts (1000×);

3—Converting, by an analog-to-digital converter 6, the analog signalinto a digital data;

4—Processing the digital data with such as mathematical analyses toproduce output;

5—Storing the digital data and at least some of the output in thedatabase;

6—Rendering the output or communicating it to be output, to a display12/14.

With respect to the processing, the equipment 1 can carry outmathematical processing, such as Fourier Transform, to separate thesignals, which can then be stored and rendered, e.g., via an outputdevice such as a printer and/or display 12/14. In some embodiments, theequipment 1 renders signals such as the filtered signal via an outputdevice, such as a multiparametric monitor, printer, computer or monitor,computer-to-computer communication device, such as a router or gateway.

As mentioned above, in other embodiments, equipment 1 has a processor 8,and in some but not all embodiments, the processor 8 can be a processor(a processor can be multiple processors working in cooperation) of acomputer system as is illustratively represented in FIG. 15. In anotherconfiguration, a computer system can be operably associated or incommunication with a processor 8 of a multiparametric monitor, andeither or both can be in communication with another computer system.

More particularly, by way of example, there can be a computer system 21,which in some embodiments can include processor 8 and in otherembodiments can receive data from equipment 1. In either case, computersystem 21 can interact with another computer system 22, via a network23. As used herein, the term “computer” generally refers to hardware orhardware in combination with one or more program(s), such as can beimplemented in software. Computers can be implemented as general-purposecomputers, specialized devices, or a combination of general-purpose andspecialized computing devices. Computing devices can be implementedelectrically, optically, quantumly, biologically, and/or mechanically orin any combination of these technologies. A computer as used herein canbe viewed as at least one computer having all functionality or asmultiple computers with functionality separated to collectivelycooperate to bring about the functionality, e.g., the functions shown asbeing carried out by a single computer can be carried out by more thanone computer, and the functions shown as being carried out by more thanone computer can be carried out by a single computer, without departingfrom the present intent. In some, but not all embodiments, the computer24 can include a single processor, such as processor 8 and/ormulti-processor 8 implementations of a computer. A processor 8 caninclude any device that processes information or executes instructions.Computer logic flow and operations can be used in processing devices,including but not limited to: signal processors, data processors,microprocessors, and communication processors. Logic flow can beimplemented in discrete circuits, combinational logic, ASICs, FPGAs,reconfigurable logic, programmed computers, or an equivalent.

Computer-readable media or medium, as used herein, includes anytechnology that includes a characteristic of memory, e.g., tangiblyembodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to performoperations according to an embodiment herein. Memory technologies can beimplemented using magnetic, optical, mechanical, or biologicalcharacteristics of materials. Common examples of memory are RAM, ROM,PROM, EPROM, FPGA, and floppy or hard disks. Communications medium orconnection, as used herein, is any pathway or conduit in whichinformation can be communicated or exchanged. The pathway or conduit canbe wired, optical, fluidic, acoustic, wireless, or any combination ofthe foregoing.

A “computer” or “computer system(s)” as used herein can include one ormore computers, which illustratively can be PC systems, server systems,mobile devices, and any combination of the foregoing. Depending on theimplementation, a computer can be adapted to communicate amongthemselves, or over a network such as the Internet. Programs, as usedherein, are instructions that when executed by a processing devicecauses the processor to perform specified operations. Programs can bewritten in various languages, including but not limited to assembly,COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, C, C++, Java, or JavaScript. Languages can beobject-oriented like C++ and Java, for example. The programming languagecan be interpreted or compiled, or a combination of both. The programsare usually processed by a computing system having an operating system.An operating system can be processor-specific, like an RTOS (real timeoperating system) used in cell phones, or commercial like Mac OS X,UNIX, Windows, or Linux. An operating system or program can behardwired, firmware, reside in memory, or implemented in an FPGA orreconfigurable logic.

A “network” as described here can be a preconfigured network, like alocal area network (“LAN”) of computers, servers, and peripheral devicesin a single office, or an ad hoc network caused by the temporaryinterconnection of computers over the Internet, by modem, via telephone,cable television, radio communication, combinations of these (like atelephone call made in response to a television solicitation), orotherwise to conduct a particular transaction. In the latter sense, thecomputers in the network do not need to all be linked up at once; as fewas two of them can be linked at a time. The link can be a formal link ora casual link, as by sending e-mails or other communications from onecomputer to the other, or logging one computer into a website maintainedon another via the Internet.

The network or Internet-type network connections or communication pathsdescribed above can be made in various ways. In one embodiment, theInternet connection can be enabled by a series of devices andtransmission lines or paths including: a first computer; a modemconnected to the first computer; a telephone (regular or DSL) or cabletelevision transmission line or radio communication channel connectedwith or generated by a transmitter associated with the modem; a firstInternet Service Provider (ISP) receiving the communication; theInternet, to which the first ISP is connected; a second ISP connected tothe Internet, receiving the communication; a telephone or cabletelevision transmission line or radio communication channel connectedwith or generated by the ISP; a modem connected to the second computer;and the second computer.

For example, a computer system 21 and/or 22 can each comprise a computer24 (e.g., a Lenovo, HP, Apple, or other personal computer; an enterpriseserver computer; distributed computing; etc.) with one or moreprocessors 8 (e.g., an Intel or AMD processor or the like), memory 10(e.g., RAM, a hard drive, disk drive, etc.) not shown in FIG. 15, one ormore input devices 25 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, modem, sensor 15, e.g.,via amplifier 4 and analog to digital converter 6 or the like (see FIG.1)), and one or more output devices 26 (e.g., a modem, a printer, adisplay 12 monitor, external display 14, and/or other such outputdevices). Note that a gateway 27 or modem 28 or router 29 are eachillustrative of a computer-to-computer communication device that canoperate as an input/output device. To provide other illustrativeembodiments, the computer system(s) 21/22 can comprise at least one of adesktop computer, a telephonic device, a console, a laptop computer, atablet, and a mobile communication device. The mobile communicationdevice can comprise at least one of a cellular telephone, laptop, a PDA,and a smartphone-type device such as an iPhone. Communications betweendevices may be wired (e.g., cabled Ethernet home or office network),wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.11 A/B/G/N network transceivers), or near-fieldradio-frequency communications (e.g., Bluetooth), or optical (e.g.,infrared). Networking between devices may be through WANs, LANs,Intranets, Internet or peer-to-peer arrangements, or in a combination ofthem. The network 23 may include, for example, gateways, routers,bridges, switches, front-end and back-end servers, ISPs (InternetService Providers), which may interact with content provider servers,scanners, copiers, printers, and user computing devices. Devices on thenetwork may include interfaces that can be simple, such as a keyboardwith an LCD screen, or can be complex, such as a web interface. Webinterfaces are presented in a web browser environment. Web browsersrender XML or HTML containing pictures, video, audio, interactive media,and links in the display of a computer. Firefox, Internet Explorer,Safari, Chrome, and Opera are examples of well-known web browsers thatare available for PCs and mobile devices. Network 23 can be theInternet.

FIG. 16 illustrates, again in a teaching rather than in a limitingmanner, logic flow of at least one computer system configured to carryout an embodiment. In the embodiment illustrated, not in a limitingmanner, sensor 15 provides a full signal to amplifier 4 which amplifiesthe full signal to produce an amplified full signal. The amplified fullsignal is communicated to analog-to-digital converter 6, which convertsthe amplified full signal to produce signal data. The signal data iscommunicated to processor 8, which can process and transform the signaldata, e.g., by applying a Fourier Transform 30 and/or Fast FourierTransform filters 31, wavelets 32 and/or statistical tolls 33. Fourierfilters decompose a sequence of values into components of differentfrequencies, for example, most people present a heart rate between 50and 120 bpm, and these filters can detect the signals in this frequencyrange and exhibit such as heartbeat signals. The filters can, but neednot, be such as origin, matlab, qtiplot, or other signal analysisfilter, some of which may use methods such as fast fourier transforms,wavelet processing, and statistical methods for signal analysis andinterpretation. The filtering can be carried out to display, or toisolate, physiological components such as cardiologic, respiratory andintracranial pressure data.

The signal data is processed or transformed by the Fourier Transform 30to produce a frequency spectrum data 34. The signal data is processed ortransformed by the

Fast Fourier Transform filters 31, wavelets 32 and/or statistical tolls33 to separate out and produce intracranial pressure signal data 35,cardiac signal data 36, and respiratory signal data 37.

The frequency spectrum data 34, intracranial pressure data 35, cardiacdata 36, and respiratory data 37 are communicated to memory 10 anddisplay 12 and/or 14 and/or other output device. Memory 10 includes adatabase configured to store the frequency spectrum data 34,intracranial pressure data 35, cardiac data 36, and respiratory data 37.In some, but not all, embodiments, computer system 21 associates orfurther processes some or all of data 34, 35, 36, and 37, into furtheroutput, e.g., which can in some embodiments be communicated asillustrated in FIG. 15 from computer system 21 to computer system 22,either of which can further process or transform some or all of theoutput received so as to produce yet further output.

So for example, though not illustrated in FIG. 15, in some but not allembodiments, the equipment 1 is used to produce output which is theninserted by at least one of computer systems 21 and 22 into a report (orother document), such as a medical record. The report or medical recordcan be generated and configured so that some or all of data 34, 35, 36,and 37 is located contextually into the report or medical record, whichcan then be stored e.g., in computer-readable memory, displayedelectronically, communicated over a network, or output in hard copy atan output device, e.g., printer. The report or medical record can begenerated so that some or all of data 34, 35, 36, and 37 is located in apreconfigured location in the report or medical record and associated,by at least one of computer systems 21 and 22 with other data. So forexample, the report can be generated and configured such that some ofdata 34, 35, 36, and 37 is electronically located in the report ormedical record in association with data one or more of neurological,physiological, pharmacological, endocrinological data, obtained from amemory, such as memory operably associated with at least one of computersystems 21 and 22, e.g., having been previously input. In someembodiments, computer system 21 or 22 is programmed to request andcapture patient data (e.g., name, age, identification of the patient,hospital registration number, pathology(ies), and other such data informing, or combining the data 34, 35, 36, and 37 into the report ormedical record.

FIG. 17 illustrates the output at, e.g., display 12 and/or 14. Theillustrated output is the signal data, e.g., prior to the FourierTransform 30 or the Fast Fourier Transform Filters 31. The signal datashows raw digital signal data of intracranial pressure. The displayshows the full signal from the sensor 15, i.e., the ICP signal, therespiratory signal and frequency, and the cardiac signal and frequency.

FIG. 18 illustrates a display 12/14 of raw data includes 34, 35, 36, and37, during a real-time monitoring, in connection with other data output.This display also shows the heart and respiratory rate. (Display 12/14can also be adapted to display the real-time curves, e.g., on thecomputer 21 display or, through an adapter, to a multiparametricmonitor.)

FIG. 19 illustrates the results of Fast Fourier filters 31 applied tothe raw signal data, after the use of mathematical tools which dividethe signal data into the ICP 35, cardiac data 36, and respiratory 37data.

Embodiments herein can, therefore, include the non-invasive equipment,or parts thereof or operably associated therewith, and methods to detectintracranial pressure (ICP) and use the detected ICP and related data.Any of this data can be processed and analyzed, for medical,pathological, and/or physiological situations, for diagnosis andtreatment responsive to the detecting and output from the detecting,especially to identify an initial condition, identify how a patient isresponding to a treatment and/or how to adjust a subsequent treatmentbased on the patient's detected reaction to the treatment, and when tocease the treatment because a target condition has been detected. Thishas application in the diagnoses of one or more pathologies, e.g., inthe vascular, cardiac, respiratory, and central nervous systemdisorders, and responses to administrations of treatment.

To exemplify the foregoing, a display, e.g., display 14, is presented inFIG. 20 to illustrate the variation of physiologic parameters during ajugular compression. FIG. 20 illustrates a baseline to the left of thepeaks on the lower curves, a peak that illustrates an abnormalityassociated with jugular blood flow, and after administration of atreatment, a return to normal ranges, suggesting that further oralternative treatment is not needed or that the treatment has beensufficient. This is an example of the behavior of intracranial pressurein situations such as hemorrhagic stroke (increase of pressure—jugularcompression) and the return (after jugular release) to baseline aftertreatment (e.g., decompressive craniotomy). The ICP value returns belowthe baseline, due to the body's defense mechanisms, which tries tomaintain body's homeostasis by activating defense mechanisms.

In another teaching embodiment, detection of epilepsy seizures in Wistarrats is illustrated in FIG. 21. FIG. 21 illustrates detecting anddiagnostics for the seizures (above reference squares added to thebottom axis of the display) and the detected the physiologicalparameters. The output signals illustrate an epileptic's aura, the signbefore the external symptoms. These results show variations incardiologic, respiratory and ICP signals, monitored inside the skull.Variations in these signals may collaborate diagnosis and treatmentmonitoring of epileptic patients.

In another teaching embodiment, the equipment 1 can be used in thediagnostics of hydrocephaly, and to check for proper operation of theshunts. FIG. 22 shows the results of the equipment 1 monitoringillustrative of hydrocephaly patients.

Hydrocephalus is a disease diagnosed using imaging techniques; thesedevices are expensive and not available for the entire population. Theequipment presented here is able to indicate a diagnosis ofhydrocephalus through the analysis of low frequency waves on ICP (0 to0.2 Hz), which vary greatly in amplitude in patients with hydrocephalus,as shown in FIG. 22. It's possible see in this graph that patients afterinsertion of shunts show a decrease in the amplitude of theseoscillations. An appropriate periodic monitoring routine now is possiblewith the equipment described herein.

In still another teaching embodiment, the sensor 15 and processingrelated thereto can detect and/or monitor the real-time drug effects,e.g., to determine the dosage and effect, the drug absorption, etc. Insome embodiments, especially in children, in old age and patientsrequire drug multi-therapy, and the detecting can be used to determinetreatment, e.g., administer more of one or another medication, anddetermine, from the detected response of the patient, whether to adjustor cease the treatment, etc. For example, drugs can decrease themetabolism, or physiological parameters such as blood pressure,resulting in an intracranial pressure decrease that is detectableaccording to embodiments herein. Similarly, the reverse effect can beobserved in drugs that raise blood pressure or body metabolism.

Monitoring of drugs can be exemplified in the three cases describedbelow.

The FIG. 23 illustrates a display, e.g., display 12 and/or display 14,with respect to an intravenous use of Sodium Thiopental in pigs with 4Kg (dosage=7 mg/kg body weight), a barbiturate general anesthetic. TheFIG. 23 illustrates a decrease in intracranial pressure after the use ofthis anesthetic (black arrow), thereby illustrating how the sensor 15and processing related thereto can detect and/or monitor in connectionwith anesthesia, important information during surgical procedures.

FIG. 23 is illustrative of detecting and/or monitoring of the depth ofanesthesia, e.g., on a patient. A black arrow inserted into FIG. 23shows the use of Sodium Thiopental.

Dipyrone is an analgesic. The decrease in blood pressure caused by thisdrug can be the subject of the sensor 15 and processing related thereto,e.g., with respect to ICP. In FIG. 24 a display, e.g., display 12 and/ordisplay 14, with respect to rats with approximately 300 g, areillustrated as having received dipyrone by gavage (5 mg/kg body weight).The detecting and/or monitoring, in real time, of the action of thedrugs is illustrative of maintenance of patients in intensive careunits. Accordingly, embodiments herein can be configured and used toincreasing, decrease, supplement, or cease administration of one or morepharmaceuticals or other treatments.

FIG. 24 is illustrative of detecting and/or monitoring the effect ofdipyrone, e.g., on a patient. Decreased intracranial pressure detectedor monitored after the injection of analgesic.

There are substances that can increase the metabolism and the patient'sblood pressure, such as adrenaline. The detecting and/or monitoring theeffect of such drugs on a patient can be implemented with respect tomaintaining of patient's homeostasis, and embodiments herein, areaccordingly illustrated in FIG. 25 (rats with 300 g, adrenaline dosageof 0.01 mg/Kg body weight). Accordingly, this effect can be detected ormonitored via the sensor 15 and processing related thereto, e.g., withrespect to ICPICP, as illustrated in the FIG. 25 display, e.g., display12 and/or display 14.

FIG. 25 is illustrative of detecting and/or monitoring a response toadrenaline, e.g., in a patient. The black arrow indicates the injectionof the drug.

The sensor 15 and processing related thereto, e.g., with respect to ICP.In FIGS. 26 and 27, each show a display, e.g., display 12 and/or display14, with respect to diagnosing and monitoring diseases such asintracranial tumors, hydrocephalus, and others previously discussedherein, as well as in processes in which detections of a patient areused to determine treatment of the patient, e.g., by detected patientresponse to the treatment. FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a diagnosissimulated with respect to animal experimentation.

FIG. 26 is illustrative of (via a simulation) of intracranial tumor inrabbits (1.5 kg). For example, a rubber balloon can be inserted into thesubdural space, the balloon connected to a cannula, so as to be able toinflate the balloon, e.g., with water. The FIG. 26 display, e.g.,display 12 and/or display 14, is illustrated as monitoring or detectingchanges due to the increase in the balloon, which represents a tumorgrowth. This teaching illustration is provided to indicate the abilityto diagnose and monitor disease progression, as well as the efficacy oftreatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

FIG. 26 provides a tumor simulation, e.g., in a patient.

Another teaching embodiment is directed to diagnosing hydrocephaly andevaluating the performance of shunts. The FIG. 27 display, e.g., display12 and/or display 14, is illustrated as detecting and/or monitoring ofthe disease by an experimental animal model (rats with 300 g) in whichrats received saline injection into the spinal canal, thus simulatingthe accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, characteristic of this disease.The display in FIG. 27 is illustrated as showing in real time theincrease in intracranial pressure resulting from this volume variation,e.g., in a patient.

FIG. 27 provides a hydrocephaly simulation. Depending on the embodimentfor the desired application, the sensor 15 and processing relatedthereto, can be configured and used to detect and/or monitor theintracranial pressure in patients with trauma, hydrocephaly, tumors,epilepsy, stroke, etc. so as to produce diagnostic data related to thecorresponding medical condition and/or to produce data corresponding toa patient's reaction to treatment of that condition, e.g., so as toadjust the treatment responsive to what is detected. (Note thatembodiments are not limited to human patient embodiments, and thus caninclude embodiments configured for animals, especially in connectionwith veterinary medicine and surgery.) Other examples includehydrocephaly diagnoses, and evaluating the functioning of hydrocephalyshunts, edemas, chronic pain, migraine, etc. (e.g., to evaluate theaction of drugs and their half-life in the patient's brain). Stillfurther examples include diagnostics and treatment of brain symptomsrelated to cerebral fluid flow, labyrinthits, nausea, secondary injury,and treatment thereof. And treatment can, for example, includeadministering medication, surgery, etc., in connection with the data ordisplay or other output indicating a patient condition and response tothe treatment.

FIG. 28 is an illustrative embodiment of a display with respect to ICPNI

Monitoring. The ICP wave has typical morphological characteristics, thiswave is composed by P1 that is the result of the systolic wave ofarterial blood pressure, P2 that is consequence of the cardiac valveclosure and P3 that show the accommodation of blood pressure wave in thecentral nervous system.

Additional examples include diagnosing proper operation of a stent,analyzing cardiac and respiratory parameters with respect to the centralnervous system, analyzing cardiologic, respiratory, cardiac and vascularparameters using maneuvers (postural changes, jugular compress, valsavamaneuver and physical activity), etc.

Yet further examples include diagnostics and analyses of time series ofthe intracranial pressure, e.g., to determine the drug dosage requiredfor the adequate homeostasis of the brain pressure. Additional examplesinclude pharmaceutical clinical trials, detecting/monitoring/evaluatingthe depth of anesthesia procedures in general surgery and makingadjustments thereto in response to the data. Yet still further examplesinclude detecting or monitoring the efficiency of chemotherapy andradiotherapy in intracranial and/or skull tumors, cardiologic, andrespiratory analyses related to the intracranial pressure signal, etc.and treatment adjustments in response to what is detected.

Other embodiments can similarly be configured for producing the data inconnection with exercise physiology, gymnastics, etc. to monitor theeffect of physical activity in the brain.

Due to the non-invasive aspects of embodiments herein, the detecting ormonitoring can be carried out with respect to cases of lossconsciousness (syncope) during space and flight situations, or in casesof pressure changes, such as divers, climbers or other activities withpressure changes.

In sum, appreciation is requested for the robust range of possibilitiesflowing from the core teaching herein. More broadly, however, the termsand expressions which have been employed herein are used as terms ofteaching and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use ofsuch terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the featuresshown and described, or portions thereof, it being recognized thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the embodimentscontemplated and suggested herein. Further, various embodiments are asdescribed and suggested herein. Although the disclosure herein has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments, the disclosures areintended to be illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. Variousmodifications and applications may occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the true spirit and scope defined herein.

Thus, although illustrative embodiments have been described in detailabove, it is respectfully requested that appreciation be given for themodifications that can be made based on the exemplary embodiments,implementations, and variations, without materially departing from thenovel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope defined by claims. In theclaims, and otherwise herein, means-plus-function language is intendedto cover the structures described herein as performing the recitedfunction and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalentstructures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structuralequivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to securewooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in theenvironment fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalentstructures.

1. A method to digitally produce and communicate intracranial pressuredata from skull deformation electric signals, the method including:receiving, from at least one sensor, detected skull deformation electricsignals at electrical equipment configured to transform and process theskull deformation signals that are received; transforming andprocessing, by the electrical equipment, the received skull deformationelectric signals to produce digital intracranial pressure data; andoutputting, by the electrical equipment, the digital intracranialpressure data via an output device operably associated with theelectrical equipment to render the digital intracranial pressure data.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving is carried out with thesensor being noninvasively located on a patient.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the skull deformation electric signals are analog signals,and the electrical equipment includes an amplifier, an analog-to-digitalconverter, a processor, a memory, and a monitor, and wherein thetransforming and processing includes: amplifying, by the amplifier, theskull deformation electric signals that are received from said at leastone sensor to produce amplified analog skull deformation signals;converting, by the analog-to-digital converter, the amplified skulldeformation signals from analog form into digital form skull deformationelectric signals; applying, with said processor, a Fourier Transform, aFast Fourier Transform, or both on the digital form skull deformationelectric signals to produce the digital intracranial pressure data; andstoring, in the memory, the digital intracranial pressure data in adatabase; and wherein the outputting includes displaying, on themonitor, the rendered digital intracranial pressure data.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further including producing the detected skull deformationelectric signals with said at least one sensor noninvasively locatedwith respect to a human or an animal.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid step of producing is carried out with at least one sensor being anelectric, magnetic, piezoelectric, optic, or mechanical sensor.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein said at least one sensor is noninvasivelylocated by a strap, band, hat, or helmet.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein said at least one sensor is noninvasively located by anapparatus which substantially fixes a patient's position with respect tosaid at least one sensor.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said atleast one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, and the transformingand processing, by the electrical equipment, the received skulldeformation electric signals to produce the digital intracranialpressure data comprises transforming and processing, by the electricalequipment, the received skull deformation electric signals from saidplurality of sensors.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputdevice displays the rendered digital intracranial pressure data.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the digital intracranial pressure dataincludes an intracranial pressure signal, a respiratory signal andfrequency, and cardiac signal and frequency data.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further including producing, from the intracranial pressuredata, real-time curves of physiological parameters; and wherein theoutputting includes displaying the curves by the output device.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the real-time curves of the physiologicalparameters include curves of at least two of intracranial pressure,respiratory cycles, and cardiac cycles.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the real-time curves of the physiological parameters includecurves of intracranial pressure, respiratory cycles, and cardiac cycles.14. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital intracranial pressuredata includes data showing changes in the intracranial pressure.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the digital intracranial pressure dataincludes data showing an abnormality in a wave morphology correspondingto changes in the intracranial pressure.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the transforming and processing includes performing mathematicalanalyses using signal analysis and pattern recognition sufficient toshow an abnormality in wave morphology.
 17. The method of claim 1,further including communicating at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data such that said at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a report ormedical record preconfigured in association with one or more ofneurological, physiological, pathological, pharmacological,psychological, and endocrinological data.
 18. The method of claim 1,further including communicating at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data such that said at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a medical recordin association with one or more of neurological, physiological,pathological, pharmacological, and endocrinological data, and further inassociation with patient data.
 19. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding communicating at least some of said output such that at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a medical record in association with data indicative of one or moreof a trauma, a stroke, epilepsy, an intracranial hemorrhage, ahydrocephalus, a migraine headache, a headache, a tumor, a posturalchange, a cardiologic disease, a lie or falsehood, a neuroparasitosis,cystocercosis, craniosynostosis, hydrocephalus, a jugular blood flowabnormality, a pharmacologically induced change in intracranialpressure, an anesthetic, an analgesic, a hormone, a dynamical effect ofa neurologic actives drug, a dynamical effect of a disease, an onset ofictus of a seizure, a ventricle-peritoneal shunt problem, a lumbarpuncture, a brain death.
 20. The method of claim 1, further includingcommunicating at least some of said output such that at least some ofthe digital intracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into amedical record in association with a diagnosis.
 21. The method of claim1, further including communicating at least some of said output suchthat at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a medical record in association with dataindicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein said least some of the digital intracranial pressure data,indicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation, comprises data indicative of astroke.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein said least some of thedigital intracranial pressure data, indicative of one or more of adiagnosis, a treatment, a treatment adjustment, and a treatmentcessation, comprises data indicative of a seizure.
 24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein said least some of the digital intracranial pressuredata, indicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation, comprises data indicative ofhydrocephaly.
 25. The method of claim 1, further including communicatingat least some of said output such that at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a medical recordin association with data indicative of a drug effect.
 26. The method ofclaim 1, further including communicating at least some of said outputsuch that at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a medical record in association with dataindicative of an anesthetic.
 27. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding communicating at least some of said output such that at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a medical record in association with data indicative of ananalgesic.
 28. The method of claim 1, further including communicating atleast some of said output such that at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a medical recordin association with data indicative of a hormone.
 29. The method ofclaim 1, further including communicating at least some of said outputsuch that at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a medical record in association with dataindicative of a tumor.
 30. The method of claim 1, further includingcommunicating at least some of said output such that at least some ofthe digital intracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into areport or medical record in association with data indicative of anevaluation of one or more of physiology of: exercise, a shock to a head,a rapid acceleration or deceleration, microgravity, a pilot'sintracranial pressure during flying, an effect of an explosion or shockwave, a physiologic parameter associated with temperature, and aphysiologic parameter associated with humidity.
 31. The method of claim1, further including communicating at least some of said output suchthat at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a report or medical record in association withdata indicative of a spinal puncture technique.
 32. The method of claim1, further including communicating at least some of said output suchthat at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a report or medical record in association withdata indicative of a clinical trial.
 33. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding communicating at least some of said output such that at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a report in association with data indicative of an animal.
 34. Themethod of claim 1, further including communicating at least some of saidoutput such that at least some of the digital intracranial pressure datais digitally inserted into a report or medical record in associationwith data indicative of a human.
 35. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding communicating at least some of said output such that at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a report in association with data indicative of training.
 36. Themethod of claim 1, further including communicating at least some of saidoutput such that at least some of the digital intracranial pressure datais communicated to a digital device remote from a medical facility wherethe electrical equipment is located.
 37. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding communicating at least some of said output such that at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a report or medical record which is replayed to a digital deviceremote from a medical facility where the electrical equipment islocated.
 38. The method of claim 1, further including monitoring thedigital intracranial pressure data for a threshold, such that if thethreshold is encountered, an alarm is triggered.
 39. An apparatus todigitally produce and communicate intracranial pressure data from skulldeformation electric signals, the apparatus including: at least onesensor of skull deformation electric signals; electrical equipmentarranged to receive the skull deformation electric signals andconfigured to transform and process the skull deformation signals thatare received to produce digital intracranial pressure data; and anoutput device operably associated with the electrical equipment so as tooutput the digital intracranial pressure data.
 40. The apparatus ofclaim 39, wherein said at least one sensor is a non-invasive sensor. 41.The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the electrical equipment: amplifies,by the amplifier, the skull deformation electric signals that arereceived from said at least one sensor to produce amplified analog skulldeformation signals; converts, by the analog-to-digital converter, theamplified skull deformation signals from analog form into digital formskull deformation electric signals; applies, with said processor, aFourier Transform, a Fast Fourier Transform, or both on the digital formskull deformation electric signals to produce the digital intracranialpressure data; and stores, in the memory, the digital intracranialpressure data in a database.
 42. The apparatus claim 41, wherein thedetected skull deformation electric signals correspond to a human or ananimal.
 43. The apparatus claim 41, wherein said at least one sensor isan electric, magnetic, piezoelectric, optic, or mechanical sensor. 44.The apparatus claim 41, wherein said at least one sensor isnoninvasively locatable by a strap, band, hat, or helmet.
 45. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein said at least one sensor is noninvasivelylocatable by a stationary apparatus which substantially fixes apatient's position with respect to said at least one sensor.
 46. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein said at least one sensor comprises aplurality of sensors, and the electrical equipment transforms thereceived skull deformation electric signals from each of said pluralityof sensors.
 47. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the output deviceincludes a monitor arranged to display the digital intracranial pressuredata.
 48. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the digital intracranialpressure data includes an intracranial pressure signal, a respiratorysignal and frequency, and cardiac signal and frequency data.
 49. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein the electrical equipment is configured toproduce, from the intracranial pressure data, real-time curves ofphysiological parameters; and wherein the output includes the curves.50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the real-time curves of thephysiological parameters include curves of at least two of intracranialpressure, respiratory cycles, and cardiac cycles.
 51. The apparatus ofclaim 49, wherein the real-time curves of the physiological parametersinclude curves of intracranial pressure, respiratory cycles, and cardiaccycles.
 52. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the digital intracranialpressure data includes data showing changes in the intracranialpressure.
 53. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the digitalintracranial pressure data includes data showing an abnormality in awave morphology corresponding to changes in the intracranial pressure.54. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the electrical equipment isconfigured to perform mathematical analyses using signal analysis andpattern recognition sufficient to show an abnormality in wavemorphology.
 55. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the electricalequipment is configured to communicate at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data such that said at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a report ormedical record preconfigured in association with one or more ofneurological, physiological, pathological, pharmacological,psychological, and endocrinological data.
 56. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein the electrical equipment is configured to communicate at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data such that said at leastsome of the digital intracranial pressure data is digitally insertedinto a medical record in association with one or more of neurological,physiological, pathological, pharmacological, and endocrinological data,and further in association with patient data.
 57. The apparatus of claim41, wherein the electrical equipment is configured to communicate atleast some of said output such that at least some of the digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a medical recordin association with data indicative of one or more of a trauma, astroke, epilepsy, an intracranial hemorrhage, a hydrocephalus, amigraine headache, a headache, a tumor, a postural change, a cardiologicdisease, a lie or falsehood, a neuroparasitosis, cystocercosis,craniosynostosis, hydrocephalus, a jugular blood flow abnormality, apharmacologically induced change in intracranial pressure, ananesthetic, an analgesic, a hormone, a dynamical effect of a neurologicactives drug, a dynamical effect of a disease, an onset of ictus of aseizure, a ventricle-peritoneal shunt problem, a lumbar puncture, abrain death.
 58. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the electricalequipment is configured to communicate at least some of said output suchthat at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a medical record in association with adiagnosis.
 59. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the electricalequipment is configured to communicate at least some of said output suchthat at least some of the digital intracranial pressure data isdigitally inserted into a medical record in association with dataindicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation.
 60. The apparatus of claim 59,wherein said least some of the digital intracranial pressure data,indicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation, comprises data indicative of astroke.
 61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said least some of thedigital intracranial pressure data, indicative of one or more of adiagnosis, a treatment, a treatment adjustment, and a treatmentcessation, comprises data indicative of a seizure.
 62. The apparatus ofclaim 59, wherein said least some of the digital intracranial pressuredata, indicative of one or more of a diagnosis, a treatment, a treatmentadjustment, and a treatment cessation, comprises data indicative ofhydrocephaly.
 63. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said output of saiddigital intracranial pressure data comprises a digital insertion into amedical record in association with data indicative of a drug effect. 64.The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said output of said digitalintracranial pressure data comprises a digital insertion into a medicalrecord in association with data indicative of an anesthetic.
 65. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein said output of said digital intracranialpressure data comprises a digital insertion into a medical record inassociation with data indicative of an analgesic.
 66. The apparatus ofclaim 41, wherein said output of said digital intracranial pressure datacomprises a digital insertion into a medical record in association withdata indicative of a hormone.
 67. The apparatus of claim 41, whereinsaid output of said digital intracranial pressure data comprises adigital insertion into a medical record in association with dataindicative of a tumor.
 68. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein saidoutput of said digital intracranial pressure data comprises a digitalinsertion into a report or medical record in association with dataindicative of an evaluation of one or more of physiology of: exercise, ashock to a head, a rapid acceleration or deceleration, microgravity, apilot's intracranial pressure during flying, an effect of an explosionor shock wave, a physiologic parameter associated with temperature, anda physiologic parameter associated with humidity.
 69. The apparatus ofclaim 41, wherein said output of said digital intracranial pressure datacomprises a digital insertion into a report or medical record inassociation with data indicative of a spinal puncture technique.
 70. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein said output of said digital intracranialpressure data comprises a digital insertion into a report or medicalrecord in association with data indicative of a clinical trial.
 71. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein said output of said digital intracranialpressure data comprises a digital insertion into a report in associationwith data indicative of an animal.
 72. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein said output of said digital intracranial pressure data comprisesa digital insertion into a report or medical record in association withdata indicative of a human.
 73. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein saidoutput of said digital intracranial pressure data comprises a digitalinsertion into a report in association with data indicative of training.74. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein at least some of said outputdigital intracranial pressure data is communicated to a digital deviceremote from a medical facility where the electrical equipment islocated.
 75. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said output digitalintracranial pressure data is digitally inserted into a report ormedical record and communicated to a digital device remote from amedical facility where the electrical equipment is located.
 76. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein the electrical equipment is arranged tomonitor the digital intracranial pressure data for a threshold, suchthat if the threshold is encountered, an alarm is triggered.